Will our cars ever be classics? Will they be remembered like we remember muscle cars?

[240sxDann]

Will out cars ever be like the muscle cars of yesteryears? Not in terms of performance, or styling, or anything like that, but in the fact that still 40+ years later, people are still crazy over them, still reliving their youth with them, still hunting for them, restoring them, and driving/racing them. Our cars now-a-days are popular, and they are fast, and they are fun, but will they ever be “remembered” like the muscle cars are? In 2045 for example, will ANYBODY be looking for, restoring, driving, or even remembering the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution? Will there be a whole group of people left in the world that just “love the classics”? Will our cars ever be considered classic?! It seems that such a HUGE majority of our generation are so caught up with fads that most of them will never care enough about an older car to want it. “Why spend money on so and so to make it faster when I can just buy a newer car that is already xxx HP and faster?” That seems to be the mentality of a large portion of people. Me personally, I really don’t know. As I’m sure you know, I like 240’s, but in say 2029, will there even been any left in existence? Or if there is, will they sky rocket in price like some of the more rare muscle cars? Will somebody be buying a 240 for $50,000 because theres only so many left in the world? Or will many of our cars just fade away with the trends and the fads, and not be thought of anymore?

[Nors]

I asked this to a couple people a few times, not too sure. I think it depends on what happens with the fuel crisis and if gasoline will be plentiful in 2045 like it is now.

Edit: Also most rare muscle cars were produced in way less numbers. 240s were mass produced so the market is basically flooded with them, which will lessen value.

[240sxDann]

Originally Posted by Nors

I asked this to a couple people a few times, not too sure. I think it depends on what happens with the fuel crisis and if gasoline will be plentiful in 2045 like it is now.

Edit: Also most rare muscle cars were produced in way less numbers. 240s were mass produced so the market is basically flooded with them, which will lessen value.

yea but I guarantee you that in 2045, 95% of them will already be crashed, crushed, melted, and remade into other cheap econo cars. There are a lot around, but I'd say 70% of the ones available now are already pretty much trashed. Rusted, beaten, crashed etc. Look at like Dodge Chargers. They were mass produced, and now theres really not that many left around. Same with a lot of the muscle cars. The majority of them were mass produced just like cars are now, and there are fewer and fewer left around now.

[marshallpre1]

There are a lot of factors to consider. However, here is my list of "tuner" cars that I think will definitely be "classic":

1. Supra TT
2. NSX
3. RX7 TT
4. Terminator Cobra

Might be classics:

1. Evo VIII
2. 3000GT
3. 300ZX
4. RX-8
5. GSX
6. MR2 T
7. STi (not sure which gen)
8. new GTO
9. E46 M3

[Schepis]

Originally Posted by marshallpre1

There are a lot of factors to consider. However, here is my list of "tuner" cars that I think will definitely be "classic":

1. Supra TT
2. NSX
3. RX7 TT
4. Terminator Cobra

Might be classics:

1. Evo VIII
2. 3000GT
3. 300ZX
4. RX-8
5. GSX
6. MR2 T
7. STi (not sure which gen)
8. new GTO
9. E46 M3

A correct list would minus that Cobra, and add on that 300ZX to more than a 'might'

[240sxDann]

Originally Posted by Schepis

A correct list would minus that Cobra, and add on that 300ZX to more than a 'might'

I HIGHLY disagree about taking the cobra off the list. I think that will be one of the very high demand muscle cars in the future. Pretty limited run, only made in 2003-2004, 390hp stock supercharged v8 goodness, sexy as all hell, and are currently bringing in $30k+ for a low mileage one. A low mileage one in 20 years is going to be THROUGH THE ROOF! Especially if its a rare color like mystichrome. *drool*

[Vypurr]

Most will never be sought after or worth money, but the special editions will be the exception. The limited edition STi, the limited edition SRT-4, the EVO RS. These were made in significantly smaller numbers and thus will continue to drive the price up. Not to mention that the SRT and STi are numbered too.

But 240s, civics, and other modern cars which are getting riced out will not be worth money. The cars that people will want are the ones they couldn't afford when they were popular. Those cars are the current high performance cars like the STi, EVO, SRT-4, Mugen Civic, Z06, Cobra, M3/5, and maybe even the GTR will be affordable.

[Vypurr]

^ Agreed with all of them except the mr2 and rx8. They are all cars which every young guy wants, but might not be able to afford...Just like the current popular classics are cars that our parents could not afford (Chargers, Mustangs and so on!)

[240sxDann]

Yea I'm figuring the "regular" cars (the ones you mentioned above) will fade away into nothing and said limited edition cars will still be around. Another thing I often wonder is how well will any of these cars be maintained? Its a fact that the muscle cars are made with much different material which seems to have lasted a lot longer then the material we use on cars now.

[JET02WRX]

In order for a car to be desirable to a collector, there has to be 'something' about it. Something that makes it a piece of automotive history. What that something is, well thats debatable. One persons trash is anothers treasure as they say.

The "first" of any series of car can make it valuable. Even fully restored, the first year Honda Civic could be collectable to someone. But in most instances...its got to have a history. The GTO, Charger, Challenger, Mustang, had a lot of firsts. Thats what makes them so collectable. The problem with these cars is their future generations were "contaminated" in the late 70's and early 80's by oil prices, poor designs, and lack of devotion from their respective manufacturers.
I think certian Supras, 300zx's, STi's, Evo's will also be collectiable, even when this fad dies. There are a lot of "firsts" in those cars as well. But just like someone else stated...mass production kills collectability...even when there are only a few left.

Thats my take.

[arkadyzv]

Originally Posted by JET02WRX

In order for a car to be desirable to a collector, there has to be 'something' about it. Something that makes it a piece of automotive history. What that something is, well thats debatable. One persons trash is anothers treasure as they say.

The "first" of any series of car can make it valuable. Even fully restored, the first year Honda Civic could be collectable to someone. But in most instances...its got to have a history. The GTO, Charger, Challenger, Mustang, had a lot of firsts. Thats what makes them so collectable. The problem with these cars is their future generations were "contaminated" in the late 70's and early 80's by oil prices, poor designs, and lack of devotion from their respective manufacturers.
I think certian Supras, 300zx's, STi's, Evo's will also be collectiable, even when this fad dies. There are a lot of "firsts" in those cars as well. But just like someone else stated...mass production kills collectability...even when there are only a few left.

Thats my take.

Right on the money, the car has to be something. As far as the muscle car, one they had special options and packages, everyone that was young back in those days and couldn't afford one, is in their 40's now. and have the money to play. They want to relive their earlier days or atleast have a piece of it, thus the staggering values these cars bring in. Its all about supply and demand, if theres not that many left and a lot of people want them you have to pay to play.

I honestly dont see anything massed produced, having a collector car status unless it was a special edition or for whatever reason was made in small numbers. Because even if their is a demand, the supply will still be a lot better than anything that was produced in limited qualities. In the end it depends on whats left in 30 years.

IMO the next thing to hit the auction block hard is the 70's. More specifically the earlier japanese sports cars, ie the Datsun 510, the 240z's, 1st gen rx7s, toyota celica's, maybe corollas, bmw 2002's. Not too many of them were made and they were something completely different compared to what was being offered by the bigger companies such as GM, Ford, Chrysler. You can actually see how the nice examples are starting to climb now, even though you can still get the beat examples for cheap. If someones wants one, and they want a nice one, they are going to have to shell out or restore it themselves.

And also disagree with the previously mentioned rx8, it lacks what the 7 was, the cheap alternative to a porsche, quick, agile and good looking, it just doesen't look as cool, its not a timeless design.

[Vypurr]

No doubt they will last longer if given the same care. Older cars were made of worse materials and had terrible rust prevention coatings.

Modern rust protection is much better, and most of the body panels are plastic so they won't rot off the car.

In regard to average cars, those which are clean and in great condition will be sold, but not for the money that others will get. if you look at the current classic car market you will notice that people are now buying cars that they would have never considered before, but due to the prices that they are demanding now they must settle for other, less-popular cars.

[240sxDann]

Thats true, that does make sense. Some cars are pulling in ridiculous amounts of ca$h money. Look at barrett-jackson....freakin crazy. Do you think any of these cars will ever be like that? For example, AAR Cuda's sold for what like....$7k brand new back in the day? They are going for $100k+ now if they are original.

[CleanNeon98]

Yall know my choice...also

NSX
240sx
STi
EVO
DSM
300ZX
Supra
RX7

etc.

[240sxDann]

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Yall know my choice...also

NSX
240sx-mass produced, wont be any left, no one will care anymore. (except like me lol)
STi
EVO
DSM-mass produced, wont be any left, few will care
300ZX-mass produced, wont be any left, may still have a following
Supra
RX7

etc.

pointed some things out there

[marshallpre1]

Oh I wanted to add the Integra Type-R to that list. I want one so bad, but they are soooo ridiculously expensive.

Vypurr you might be right about the RX8 and MR2.

The cars would be the ones we "younger" guys like, that's why I said GSX because a regular eclipse is nothing special, kinda like an NA Supra is crap.

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by 240sxDann

pointed some things out there

Only time will tell really. I think the Miata is already growing to be a classic, there are already people hounding them up..some guy on miata.net has I think 11 different first gens (different editions, colors, etc.)

[240sxDann]

I respectfully disagree. We're talkin 30-40+ years down the road. People are like that with 240's now also, but that far down the road I dont think they will be worth anything, or even be very wanted. I mean obviously some cars might mean a lot to some people, but I'm talking about the masses, not a person here or there who likes them.

[marshallpre1]

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

Only time will tell really. I think the Miata is already growing to be a classic, there are already people hounding them up..some guy on miata.net has I think 11 different first gens (different editions, colors, etc.)

Once again you are talking about your car. I really don't get you. He didn't say the Miata is not on the list. He pointed out the cars you listed ie the 240, DSM, 300ZX

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by 240sxDann

I respectfully disagree. We're talkin 30-40+ years down the road. People are like that with 240's now also, but that far down the road I dont think they will be worth anything, or even be very wanted. I mean obviously some cars might mean a lot to some people, but I'm talking about the masses, not a person here or there who likes them.

Wel the MX5 is a popular car, but only in some circles. Unfortunatey most of the enthusiasts are all older and once that generation passes, the car will probbably die as well.

Originally Posted by marshallpre1

Once again you are talking about your car. I really don't get you. He didn't say the Miata is not on the list. He pointed out the cars you listed ie the 240, DSM, 300ZX

I know that, I was just adding a car to my list. Thanks